Always The Teacher
RABBINIC IMPACT
from page 14
Frank D. Stella, a 1999 Dove
Award winner shares Rabbi Syme's
active involvement with the Institute,
including co-chairing the dinner at
which the rabbi was honored. "I
learned so much of life from him,"
says Stella, a friend of 30 years. "He
has sent me hundreds of tapes of his
sermons. I listen to them and pass
them on to others. It is inspiring to
hear his words of wisdom and good-
ness and faith. I learned so much
about the Jewish faith."
In Rabbi Syme's work with the
needy, Stella says, "His faith knows no
boundaries. You would think no one
can be that good, but he is. There are
not enough words to be said — he is
something extraordinary."
Those who surround Rabbi M.
Robert Syme have note just befriended
him. They respect and love him, and
protect him fiercely.
"People love him," says Rabbi
Loss. "He has the unique ability to
immediately connect with people. He
is truly a beloved rabbi in our com-
munity."
Many congregants and their fami-
lies have known the rabbi the length
of his Detroit years. "He and my
father [the late Ruby Sampson] went
back a long way," says congregant
Norman Sampson, a member of the
retirement/birthday celebration com-
mittee. Rabbi Syme "is one of the
most dedicated, honest, fun-loving
people that I know," Sampson says.
"He and my father were Shriners
together, they bOwled together.
Temple families like the Sampsons
revere milestones they've shared with
Rabbi Syme, including his officiation
at bar mitzvahs and weddings. "He
remarried my parents on their 50th
anniversary," Sampson says.
Rabbi Syme, an accomplished
public speaker known for his dry wit
and propensity for story telling, "has
a million stories to share," maintains
Sampson.
At his request, Rabbi Syme will be
referred to as rabbi emeritus of the
synagogue. In retirement, he plans to
publish his sermons and record them
on a compact disc.
He also intends to continue to be
active in the Temple family.
As David Tisdale so aptly put it:
"He's not the rabbi of Temple Israel.
He is every member's rabbi.
"When you need Rabbi Syme, he
is there." ❑
Soleil
vONTEMpORARyFURNITURE
A rich maple enhanced with touches of stainless steel gives this
4, contemporary bedroom a new twist on a classic design.
t This Home Theater Unit
will expand to accommodate
a 40"-70" Projection TV.
Ample storage for all of your
Audio and Video equipment.
32315 Grand River Ave. (Bet. Orchard Lake & Farmington Rd.) • Phone (248) 474-5020
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I Please use the Parisian door at the Newburgh Road entnee.
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— Oak Park's Philip Applebaum,
a Detroit Jewish community historian,
contributed to this profile.
*IN
7/7
2000